BrassiBase: Tools and biological resources to study characters and traits in the Brassicaceae
Project code: KO 2302/13-1
Diversity of "wild" Brassicaceae.
We are developing an online-accessible knowledge and database system of cross-referenced information and resources on Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) taxonomy, systematics and evolution, including chromosome numbers, traits and characters, germplasm resources, and accurate enumeration of all species, genera and tribes. Biological, molecular and evolutionary knowledge is exponentially increasing in the mustard family. However, because of the complex and overwhelming biological diversity of the family, it is difficult to assess research results within a larger evolutionary framework. Many species have proven to be remarkable study objects but are rarely available. Biological material and resources, either collected directly in the wild or held in germplasm collections, have often been taxonomically misidentified; and only very rarely has the material been further characterized and documented. There is also no comprehensive survey of character and trait distribution among Brassicaceae lineages, though family-wide phylogenies are meanwhile available. In order to close these gaps, we will make accessible to the scientific community the research data focusing on adaptive characters and their evolution in the Brassicaceae.
The project is bringing together the world-leading expertise from various persons and institutions and close collaboration has been established with Prof. Dr. Ihsan A. Al-Shehbaz (Missouri Botanical Gardens, USA) and Prof. Dr. Martin Lysak (Brno).
In this context, we will also provide a comprehensive documentation of the taxonomy and systematics of the entire family. This will include a database with all relevant taxonomic, systematic and phylogenetic literature, a comprehensive data collection of characters and traits, a DNA-based identification tool for genera and species, electronic interactive keys for the identification of genera and species, and a setup of a carefully selected and documented germplasm collection representing main lineages of the family.
Furthermore, taxonomic and systematic expertise is provided for individual projects within the expertise.
This knowledge database, hereafter BrassiBase, has been launched within the framework of the DFG priority programme SSP 1529 "Adaptomics − Evolutionary plant solutions to ecological challenges/Molecular mechanisms underlying adaptive traits in the Brassicaceae s.l." and is accessible via http://brassibase.cos.uni-heidelberg.de/
Publications related to the project
- Karl R., Koch M.A. (2014) Phylogenetic signatures of adaptation: The Arabis hirsuta species aggregate (Brassicaceae) revisited. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics (PPEES) 16 (5): 247-264,
DOI: 10.1016/j.ppees.2014.06.001.
- Jordon-Thaden I.E., Al-Shehbaz I.A., Koch M.A. (2013) Species richness of a globally distributed, arctic-alpine genus, Draba L. (Brassicaceae). Alpine Botany 123(2):97-106, DOI: 10.1007/s00035-013-0120-9.
- Karl R., Koch M.A. (2013) A world-wide perspective on crucifer speciation and evolution: phylogeny, biogeography and trait evolution in tribe Arabideae. Annals of Botany 112(6): 983-1001, DOI: 10.1093/aob/mct165.
- Kiefer M., Schmickl R., German D., Lysak M., Al-Shehbaz I.A., Franzke A., Mummenhoff K., Stamatakis A., Koch M.A. (2013) BrassiBase: Introduction to a Novel Knowledge Database on Brassicaceae Evolution. Plant Cell and Physiology. in press
- Al-Shehbaz I.A. (2012) A generic and tribal synopsis of the Brassicaceae (Cruciferae). TAXON 61: 931-954.
- Koch M.A., Kiefer M, German D, Al-Shehbaz Ia, Franzke A, Mummenhoff M,
Schmickl R (2012) BrassiBase: Tools and biological resources to study
characters and traits in the Brassicaceae - version 1.1. TAXON 61:
1001-1009. - Koch M.A., German D. (2013) Taxonomy and systematics are key to
biological information: Arabidopsis, Eutrema (Thellungiella), Noccaea
and Schrenkiella (Brassicaceae) as examples. Frontiers in Pl. Science,
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2013.00267.
